LONDON – From the very outset, the British strategy for the visit of President Donald Trump had been a simple one: Just push the boat out. In the event, it was more of an aircraft carrier.
All State visits are special, but this one has taken specialness to a new level, as the president himself acknowledged at last night’s State Banquet.
‘‘This is truly one of the highest honours of my life,’’ he said in a speech rich in praise for both the King and Britain.
No detail was too tiny. Even the after-dinner cognac had been chosen from 1912, the year of Trump’s mother’s birth, while the port was from 1945, a nod to his election as America’s 45th president. No matter that he is teetotal. It’s the thought that counts
At every turn, there was a fresh opportunity for Trump to deploy his catchphrase for this tour: ‘‘Unprecedented.’’
Hence the largest Guard of Honour ever for a State visitor or a Trump-friendly carriage procession, in place of the traditional route.
This was just in the first half-hour. By mid-afternoon, after a light lunch and a private wreath-laying at the tomb of Elizabeth II, there was a further tri-Service military display (yup, unprecedented).
This culminated in a Trooping the Colour-style flypast, including the Red Arrows and US F-35 fighter jets which thrilled the guest of honour.
We normally see this sort of thing once a year at the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade.
Yesterday, however, we were treated to a one-off hybrid version: Trooping the Donald.
Indeed, there was so much uniformed action going on yesterday that the US delegation might have come away with the impression that they are the guests of some vast military superpower, rather than a depleted nation with its forces at a 300-year low.
Never mind. It was all about the optics. Here inside the walls of Windsor Castle and its hermetically-sealed estate, they were exactly what both governments wanted.
King bids farewell to Trump and Melania
–Daily Mail
LONDON – Donald Trump bid farewell to the Royal Family at Windsor Castle before heading for talks with Sir Keir Starmer at his grace and favour country home.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the Trumps overnight at the Berkshire castle, where they stayed in a ‘spectacular room with the most spectacular views’.
As Trump posed for photographs with the monarch, he pointed at Charles and said: ‘‘Thank you very much everyone. He’s a great gentleman and a great king.’’
Although brief, the royal segment of Trump’s State visit has been viewed as a crucial precursor to important trade and military negotiations taking place today.
One diplomatic source told the Mail: ‘‘I think we can safely say it’s been a triumph.’’
This morning, the Windsor Castle detachment of The King’s Guard was turned out in the castle Quadrangle in a final show of pomp and pageantry. However, while her husband departed, the First Lady will stay on by herself for another couple of hours.
Leave a comment